MAHABHARATA FOR

CHILDREN

text by Gilbert Mane

PART SIX

THE BATTLE OF KURU KSHETRA

I bow to Narayana and to Nara

I bow to Saraswati, Goddess of learning

I bow to the holy man, Wyasa

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CHAPTER ONE - THE CHOOSING OF KRISHNA

The Pandawas had been in exile for thirteen years and Duryodhana should give
them back their whole kingdom. But the Pandawas asked for only half of their
kingdom because they didn't want a war. In a war many good people would be
killed. The Pandawas didn't want to cause a war. In the end they asked for only
five villages. But Duryodhana became angry. "I will not give the Pandawas half
the kingdom!" he shouted, "I will not give them a single village! I will not give
them as much land as will fit on the head of a pin!"

The Pandawas knew now that they must fight. They began to ask other kings for
help. The evil Duryodhana also began to ask for help.

Arjuna and Duryodhana both went to Dwaraka where the Lord Shri Krishna lived.
They arrived at the same time. Lord Shri Krishna was asleep. They entered his
bedroom at the same time and sat down to wait. When Krishna opened his eyes
he saw Arjuna first.

"O Arjuna, what do you want from me?" asked the Lord Shri Krishna.

"I entered first," said Duryodhana, "I should speak first."

"But I saw Arjuna first," said Krishna, "I know that you have both come to ask
for my help in the war. I will give you both a choice. You can either have my
armies, all their weapons, horses, elephants and wealth with instructions to fight,
or you can have me - and I won't fight. As Arjuna is the younger he can choose
first."

"I will have you," said Arjuna, "Will you be my charioteer?"

"Certainly," said Krishna.

"I will have your army," cried Duryodhana. He was very pleased.

After Duryodhana had left Krishna asked Arjuna, "Why did you choose me?"

"You are the Self of all. The innermost ruler of every heart. Without you who
can win? With you who can lose?

And so the time of war came closer...

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CHAPTER TWO - THE ARMIES GATHER

Great kings with their armies began to choose between the Kaurawas and
the Pandawas. Millions of men with weapons walked or rode to
Duryodhana or to Yudhishthira.

King Shalya was the brother of Madri. She had been Pandu*s second wife.
She was the mother of Nakula and Sahadewa so Shalya was their uncle.
He gathered his army and began to ride to Yudhishthira. When
Duryodhana heard this he thought, "King Shalya is a great warrior. I
must have him in my army". He told his servants to build a beautiful
palace in King Shalya's path. Duryodhana hid in the palace.

King Shalya came to the palace, and was invited to rest and refresh
himself. He thought Yudhishthira had built the palace. After he had
rested he said, "I will give him who built this palace a gift. Let him ask
what he wants."

Then Duryodhana stepped out from behind a pillar. "O Shalya, I built this
palace for you. I want you to lead my armies!" he said.

"So be it," said Shalya, because he had given his word.

King Shalya then went to Yudhishthira to tell him the news.

"You have given your word," said Yudhishthira, "Of course you must fight
for Duryodhana. But during the battle Karna will fight Arjuna. Please be
Karna's charioteer. When Karna fights tell him of Arjuna's strength so he
loses heart."

"I will," agreed Shalya.

More messengers were sent by Bhishma, Dhritarashthra and Yudhishthira

trying to make peace. Duryodhana still refused to give the Pandawas
anything. He believed his army was stronger. He thought he could beat
the Pandawas in the war. He did not care who was killed.

Dhritarashthra, the blind king, would not order Duryodhana to give back
Yudhishthira's kingdom. And so the time of war came closer...

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CHAPTER THREE - SANJAYA'S MESSAGE

King Dhritarashthra sent his charioteer Sanjaya to try to make peace.

Sanjaya went to Yudhishthira.

"O, Yudhishthira," said Sanjaya, "It would be better for you to live as a
beggar than to kill your cousins. If you kill your cousins you will feel sorry.
You will be unhappy for the rest of your life."

"O, Sanjaya," replied Yudhishthira, "You speak as if I were a priest. But I

am a warrior. It is my duty to fight for justice. I have tried to make peace.
But Duryodhana will not give back our land. Tell him to return half the
kingdom and we shall be happy." He then turned to Krishna, "What do
you advise?"

"As long as Duryodhana wants the whole kingdom there cannot be

peace," said Krishna, "Duryodhana, Sakuni, Duh-Shasana and Karna are
no better than thieves. They cheated Yudhishthira at dice. They ordered
Draupadi to be stripped in front of everyone. No wonder the Pandawas
are ready to fight. Tell Duryodhana to give back half the kingdom."

"Tell him to give us only five villages and we shall be happy," said
Yudhishthira.

Sanjaya returned with Yudhishthira's message. But Duryodhana was

furious. He refused to give anything.

"Duryodhana, you are a fool!" said Bhishma, "No one can defeat Arjuna!
No one is stronger than Bhima! No one is wiser than Yudhishthira! And
the Lord Shri Krishna, who is Lord Wishnu Himself, is on their side. How
can you hope to win?"

"I have you! I have Drona! I have many great warriors! I have Karna!"
replied Duryodhana.

"Karna is only the son of a charioteer! He always boasts but he never

lives up to his words!" laughed Bhishma.

Karna jumped up angrily. "For this insult I refuse to fight until Bhishma

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lays down his weapons," he said and stormed from the room.

And so the time of war came closer...

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CHAPTER FOUR - LORD SHRI KRISHNA AND KUNTI SPEAK TO
KARNA

The Lord Shri Krishna went to Hastinapura to seek peace. The blind king
Dhritarashthra, his brother, the wise Widura, the great warrior Bhishma
and the great teacher Drona all agreed on peace. They wanted to give
the Pandawas back half their kingdom. Still Duryodhana refused.

Duryodhana had his evil friends to agree with him - his uncle Sakuni, his
brother Duh-Shasana and Karna the son of a charioteer.

Krishna went to meet Karna. "Greetings, O Karna," said the Lord Shri
Krishna.

"Greetings, O Krishna," Karna replied.

"I have come to you to ask you to fight for the Pandawas in the coming
war. You may think this a strange request but I have something even
stranger to tell you. You are not the son of a charioteer."

Karna was astonished. "Who then were my parents? Who are my

brothers and sisters?"

"Surya, the Sun God is your father and Kunti is your mother. Your
brothers are the Pandawas. No one knows this secret except Kunti, me
and now you."

"I owe Duryodhana my loyalty", said Karna, "Only he showed me

kindness when everyone thought I was of lowly birth."

"Your loyalty is misplaced." said Krishna, "It will lead to death and
destruction for millions. You should join with Yudhishthira and your other
brothers."

But Karna refused. Kunti came to him with tears in her eyes and still he
refused to betray Duryodhana.

"But I make you this promise, O Mother," he said to Kunti, "On the great
battlefield, I will fight and kill only Arjuna. Or he will kill me. That way,

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whatever happens, you will have five sons." And so the time of war came
closer...

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CHAPTER FIVE - THE ARMIES MEET AT KURUKSHETRA

Only two great warriors did not fight. Balarama, Krishna's brother, loved the
Kaurawas and the Pandawas because both were his cousins. He left to go on a
pilgrimage so that he did not have to fight against either side.

Rukmi was the brother of Rukmini, one of Krishna's wives. He came to Arjuna and
offered to fight for the Pandawas. He boasted of his strength and told Arjuna he
could now stop being afraid.

"You are welcome and we are pleased to have you with us," said Arjuna, "But we
are not afraid and we can win without you." Rukmi became angry at these words so
he went to Duryodhana.

"I can't have someone who went to my enemies first," said Duryodhana. So Rukmi
went to his home and did not fight at all.

Finally the mighty armies came to the battlefield of Kurukshetra. They made rules
for the battle. Fighting was to stop at sunset. No one was attack someone who was
running away, or who was fighting someone else, or who had put down his weapons.
Only warriors were to be attacked.

Many people had come to watch the battle. The blind King Dhritarashtra came to
the battlefield. Sanjaya, his charioteer described the battle to him.

Sanjaya said, "The army of the Kaurawas is bigger than the army of the Pandawas.
The Kaurawas are full of confidence. They have the mighty Bhishma as their
commander. They are laughing and ready to kill the Pandawas and their army."

"What are the Pandawas doing?" asked Dhritarashtra.

"They have named Dhrishtadyumna as their commander. They are calm. They
stand quiet and still, ready to fight", replied Sanjaya.

"Who will give the signal to begin?" asked Dhritarashtra.

"Arjuna will. Here he comes now in his chariot driven by the Lord Shri Krishna. They
are coming to the centre of the two armies. Arjuna is looking at the Kaurawa army.
But what's this!" cried Sanjaya, "Arjuna has thrown down his bow and weapons and
has sunk to the floor of the chariot. He and the Lord Shri Krishna are speaking to
each other."

"What are they saying?" asked Dhritarashtra.

"Arjuna is sad. He doesn't know what to do. He sees men he loves among his

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enemies. He doesn't want to kill them. He is asking the Lord Shri Krishna for
advice."

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CHAPTER SIX - THE SONG OF GOD

"What is Krishna saying to Arjuna as they rest between the two mighty armies,"
asked Dhritarashtra.

Sanjaya told King Dhritarashta everything that Krishna said to Arjuna

'Arise and fight, O Arjuna' Krishna is saying, 'Do not be weak. There is no
such thing as death. You neither kill, nor can you be killed. You are the
immortal Self.'

'It is your duty to fight. You have the right to act but not to the results of
your actions. So perform your duty with a still mind.'

'How can I still my mind?' asked Arjuna, 'It never seems still!'

'You are right! But by constant effort it can be brought to rest,' replied
the Lord Shri Krishna. 'Think only of Me, devote yourself to Me, perform all
your actions for Me as if you were a part of Me. Then, surely, you will join
with Me. I am your true Self.'

"The Lord is explaining the paths to Liberation. The Path of Action, The Path of
Love, the Path of Meditation. Oh, Wonder of Wonders! He is revealing to Arjuna
His Divine Form as the Creator and Destroyer of the Universe. Arjuna has thrown
himself down in terror."

"What else is happening? What else is he saying?" asked Dhritarashtra eagerly.

'Everything in the universe is like a passing show. The Watcher of the

show is your true Self. Knowing this there is no cause to grieve. In any
case, O Arjuna, you are going to fight anyway because it is your nature.
Lay down your body and mind. Then pick them up again as My servant
and fight!'

"O Sanjaya, I can hardly bear to hear any more! What is happening now?"

"Arjuna, the greatest of warriors blows his conch shell! He picks up his bow and
prepares to fight. The Pandawa army is shouting with joy. The Kaurawa army is
struck with fear."

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CHAPTER SEVEN - YUDHISHTHIRA'S WORSHIP

Arjuna picked up his mighty conch and blew. The sound tore the heavens.
The Gods rejoiced. But the Kaurawa army was struck by a great fear.
Yudhishthira's army was filled with strength and courage.

Just as the armies prepared to clash in battle Yudhishthira astonished

everyone. He pushed his way to the front and took off his armour and put
down his weapons. He walked alone and unarmed to the Kaurawa army.

In turn he worshipped Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Shalya. In turn he asked

each for permission to fight against him. In turn he asked each for a
victory blessing. All of these mighty heroes blessed Yudhishthira.

"O Drona," said Yudhishthira, "You are our teacher and cannot be
defeated. How may we triumph against you?"

"O Yudhishthira, I may only be killed when I have lain down my weapons,"
replied Drona, "I will only lay down my weapons when my heart is
broken."

"O Bhishma," said Yudhishthira, "You are our grandfather and the
mightiest of warriors. How may we defeat you?"

"O Yudhishthira," replied Bhishma, "I can only die when I decide. But I
will not raise my weapons against Shikhandin. To defeat me set
Shikhandin before me."

Yudhishthira bowed low to all his beloved teachers. He turned to the vast
Kaurawa army. "I welcome any who now wish to leave the evil
Duryodhana and join our army."

Yuyutsu, one of Duryodhana's brothers, came forward. He bowed to

Yudhishthira."

"I worship you, O Righteous King. I wish to join your army."

Yudhishthira embraced Yuyutsu and welcomed him to his army.

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CHAPTER EIGHT - THE BATTLE COMMENCES

The first day of the battle began with immense ferocity. The soldiers on
each side threw themselves upon their enemies like wild beasts. The
greatest warriors on each side slaughtered thousands of men.

Arjuna's son Abhimanyu rushed to the hottest part of the battle and
fought Bhishma like a mad elephant. The rest of the Pandawa army came
to help him. When Abhimanyu retired from the fight he left mountains of
dead warriors.

But Shalya, fighting for the Kaurawas, met Uttara. A great fight ensued.
Shalya's chariot and horses were slain. He was enraged and killed Uttara
with a mighty arrow loosed from his bow.

Uttara's brother Shweta, filled with fury, rushed into battle. He massacred
thousands of the Kaurawas. The Kaurawa army began to retreat under
the attack of Shweta. But Bhishma fell on him like a ravening lion and
slew him.

Thus ended to first day with the Kaurawas triumphant.

Both armies withdrew to the camps for the night. The Pandawas were
gloomy. Bhishma filled their army with terror wherever he appeared.

On the next day Bhishma again beat back the Pandawa forces. Seeing
this, Arjuna attacked Bhishma savagely. Even Krishna, driving Arjuna's
chariot, was wounded.

Elsewhere Bhima strode through the Kaurawa army whirling his mace and
killing hundreds of Kaurawas with each swing.

As evening began to fall Arjuna with his son Abhimanyu attacked the
Kaurawas together. The mighty Kaurawa army was filled with panic and
fled from the field of battle.

As the second day of the battle drew to a close it was the turn of the
Kaurawas to feel despondent.

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CHAPTER NINE - KRISHNA FIGHTS

In the Kaurawa camp Duryodhana turned on Bhishma.

"Old man," he shouted, "You want the Pandawas to win! You do not give
your best for me! You betray me! Tell me truly if you will fight!"

Bhishma smiled. "It is true I want the Pandawas to win. But I am bound
to you by duty. Tomorrow you will see me unleash death by thousands on
the Pandawas."

The third day dawned and Bhishma moved like an unstoppable flood
through the ranks of the Pandawas. Arjuna again rushed to the scene. He
launched a thousand arrows against Bhishma. Bhishma applauded him.

"Well done, O Arjuna," he cried, "You fight like a true son of Pandu!"

But Krishna became enraged. He leapt down from his chariot seat and
rushed at Bhishma. On his finger appeared the blazing Chakra disc, sharp
as a razor.

"O Gowinda," said Bhishma, "There no better fate than to be killed by

you. I welcome your attack."

But Bhima and Arjuna held Krishna back. "Do not break your vow," they
cried, "We will fight like lions! We will fight like enraged snakes! We will
terrify the Kaurawas like thunder and lightening!"

Krishna was pleased and returned to the chariot.

Arjuna released some of the weapons given to him by Shiwa. Ten

thousand charioteers fell dead and hundreds of elephants.

The third day of battle came to a close and the Kaurawas again returned
to their camp downheartedly.

The Pandawas rejoiced in their tents that night.

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CHAPTER TEN - THE PANDAWAS TRIUMPHANT

Again on the fourth and fifth days of the battle fate favoured the
Pandawas.

On the sixth, seventh and eighth days the armies were more evenly
matched with the great heroes of each side meeting in battle.

Bhima left a path of dead and dying warriors, elephants and horses.
Dhrishtadyumna joined him and struck thousands of the Kaurawas
unconscious.

Drona appeared and revived them. He destroyed Dhrishtadyumna's

chariot and horses.

Bhima attacked Duryodhana and drove him from the field. Abhimanyu
drove the Kaurawas before him in a panic. But again Bhishma rallied the
Kaurawa army and created havoc in the Pandawa ranks.

Many of Dhritarashtra's sons were slain by Bhima. Irawan, one of Arjuna's

sons was slain. Bhima and his son Ghatothkacha joined together to
spread fear among the Kaurawas.

As the sun set on the eighth day Duryodhana spoke to Karna. Karna had
not yet fought. He refused to fight under Bhishma's command.

"Bhishma favours the Pandawas," he said to Duryodhana, "While he

leads your army you cannot win. Tell him to stand down. Let me lead
your armies. I will slay Arjuna and give you victory."

Duryodhana went to see Bhishma. "If you will not slay Arjuna, will you
give command of the army to Karna?" he asked.

Bhishma was sad. His duty was to lead Duryodhana's armies. Now he
would have to meet Arjuna in battle.

"I will fight Arjuna. If I can, I will slay him. But I will not fight against
Shikhandin."

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CHAPTER ELEVEN - SHIKHANDIN

"O Bhishma," cried Duryodhana, "You are the greatest of all warriors! No one
can stand before you. Why, O why does Shikhandin fill you with fear?"

"O Duryodhana," Bhishma replied, "It is not through fear that I will not fight
Shikhandin but through duty. Many years ago when your grandfather
Wichitrawirya was alive the time came for him to marry.

"Ambika, Ambalika and Amba, the three beautiful daughters of the King of Kashi,
were to be married. I drove to the marriage ceremony in my chariot. Many
kings from every land were there to try to win the hands of these lovely girls.

"I decided they would make suitable wives for Wichitrawirya. I scooped them up
in my arms and drove away. The other kings pursued me but I defeated them
all.

"Ambalika and Ambika married Wichitrawirya. But Amba was already promised
to King Shalya. I released her but Shalya would not marry her because she had
been carried off by another man. She begged me to marry her. But I had vowed
never to marry.

"In a fury she vowed to kill me. She wandered the whole earth. She meditated
for many years. Finally her body was transformed into a man's body. With this
body she fights in the Pandawa army. She is called Shikhandin.

"A warrior must never harm a woman. Shikhandin, although in a man's body,
was born a woman. I will not raise even my smallest finger against Shikhandin."

"But, O Bhishma," cried Duryodhana, "This may mean your death!"

"So be it", said Bhishma calmly.

On the ninth day Bhishma began to fulfil his promise to Duryodhana. It was as if
he was everywhere at once. He created havoc among the Pandawas. He was a
fire-breathing dragon, a fierce lion and a poisonous snake joined in one.

The Pandawa army was in a panic. Arjuna rushed to their aid. His arrows
destroyed Bhishma's bow. Bhishma reached for another. Again Arjuna
destroyed it. Again Bhishma reached for another. As the sun set and the battle
ended the Pandawas were downhearted.

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CHAPTER TWELVE - THE FALL OF BHISHMA

On the tenth day Arjuna took a solemn vow.

"Today I will kill Bhishma," he said.

He took Shikhandin in his chariot. Standing behind Shikhandin, Arjuna rode

towards Bhishma shooting hundreds of arrows. Bhishma laid down his weapons.
He would not fight Shikhandin.

His body was pierced with many arrows so he took his sword, jumped down from
his chariot and ran towards Arjuna's chariot.

Arjuna kept firing arrows. He destroyed Bhishma's shield, sword and armour.
Bhishma began to stagger. Finally he fell. His body was struck by so many
arrows that his body did not touch the ground but rested on them. Bhishma lay
on a bed of arrows.

When he fell a great stillness descended on the battle field. Soldiers stopped
fighting. Elephants became still. Horses ceased to gallop. Where there had
been shouts and cries and the clash of steel now there was a deathly silence.
Even the Gods held their breath.

The greatest warrior of all time, the grandfather of the Kaurawas and the
Pandawas, the revered teacher of all the warriors had fallen! Everyone
approached the spot where he lay.

"I need a pillow," said Bhishma. All the warriors ran to bring the most costly and
most comfortable pillows.

"No," said Bhishma "Arjuna knows what pillow I need." Arjuna shot three arrows
into the ground. Bhishma rested his head on these arrows.

"I am thirsty," said Bhishma. All the warriors ran to bring water in jewelled jars.

"No," said Bhishma, "Arjuna knows what drink I need."

Arjuna shot an arrow straight into the earth so strongly that it pierced to a deep
underground stream. A spring of water spurted up and Bhishma was able to
drink.
Thus Bhishma rested and drank surrounded by sorrowing friends and foes alike.

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